peeling chrome on Dream Cruiser wheels?

[rocketsigntist]

I went through the issue of peeling chrome on my 2002 at 26,000 miles (end of Sept 2004). Pointed it out to them when they painted the bumpers.

Parts manager said they could swap out with identical wheels, but that I would probably have the same problem again. So he swapped me out with Dream Cruiser wheels, except the center caps are a dark red color, not the gold.

One especially is not only peeling in giant sheets on the inner part that isn't shiny and has ridges, but bubbling up under the flat shiny chrome area. The chrome seperated along the edge behind a spoke... found that when I sliced my finger open while cleaning the wheel.

Anyone have problems with these? I've got less than 2 years on them.

Plus now I am in another state, so I can't go back to the guys that helped me out the first time. I just need to be 'armed' with alot more information to go to a dealership that doesn't know me from Adam.

Any suggestions, comments... anything?
Thanks!!

[bobs turbo pt]

is the car still covered ??

[rocketsigntist]

Being a 2002... no. But the wheels were swapped out under warranty.

Even though the warranty is out, I really do think that wheels should last at least 2 years! I mean - the original warranty when the car was new was for more than 2 years, shouldn't these replacement parts last at least that long?

I was hoping to have some more info about other people having the same problem, before I show up at a dealership I've never been to before.

[bobs turbo pt]

do you have all the paper work from when they swapped them out ?? if you do i dont think any dealership can give you a hard time, or call chrysler direct speak to them and they can and will call the closet dealership to , and set it up for you keep us posted [8)]

[rocketsigntist]

Yep! I'm a stickler for saving paperwork, receipts, etc... never know when they'll come in handy!

[Goldenturtle02]

[xx(] I have a Dream Ser1 I bought in Aug.'02 and my wheels are also peeling chrome on the inside, and I have a small rust spot on the spoke near the rim on 2 of my wheels. The stealership I bought the car from said pretty much "Sorry 'bout your luck", I havent had time to go to another dealer yet. Best of luck to ya!

[rocketsigntist]

Two thumbs up for Coon Rapids Chrysler in Coon Rapids, MN!!

Went in with my original slip from when my dealer in Niagara Falls, NY swapped out the wheels (Sept 2004). Talked to the service manager, Jerry. Nice guy.

Found out that these wheels were custom factory ordered. Same as the Dream Cruiser, but with different colored accents. If they had been installed at the factory, would have been covered under the regular warranty (but my car is out of that now). Installed later only has 1 yr warranty.

Since it obviously had been bubbling and peeling for a while, and I explained our family situation and move (I wasn't able to do anything about anything since last Oct), he talked with the parts guy and they both said can't hurt to check with Chrysler. That he would get back to me probably early the next week.

We got the phone call the next day... and I just got my new wheel put on yesterday!! WOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!! What a GREAT bunch of guys, and I'm VERY happy with the whole deal. Picked up rear mudflaps and a new strut for my hatch while there, too.

I talked it over with them, and they said there really isn't anything I can do to prevent this from happening again. I really like my wheels (have never seen them on another PT) and sure hope the others don't go the same way!

That small spot on your wheel is probably from brake dust. I have that on all of mine... sucks. I've tried scrubbing and all, but just can't seem to get it all off. I'm seriously considering switching to the other type of brakes to get rid of the dust problem, but won't be able to do that for while financially.

Good luck with yours!

[PT4U2C]

Switch to ceramic pads(less than $80 installed w/o turning rotor. This will eliminate 85% of the brake dust. Brake dust can be toxic to chrome sometimes. Good luck.

PT4U2C/1KICKNPT